John-Dylan does the martial arts moves on his knees, as he cannot walk, and often modifies arm movements because he has limited range of motion in his elbow joints. Sometimes he verbally describes the actions if he can't perform them himself.

"He never asks to be treated differently due to his handicap," Gold Medal Taekwondo master Marcy Shoberg said. "He figures out himself how to modify things as he needs to.

"He is hardworking and has a "never-give-up attitude," Shoberg said.

On Saturday, John-Dylan will demonstrate sparring, board breaking, a series of movements called the eight traditional forms and a self-defense skit with a partner, much like a movie fight scene, to earn his first-degree black belt.

"It just gives me something to do rather than sitting here playing video games," the East Picacho Elementary School fifth-grader said.

Breaking boards is his favorite part of competitions because it doesn't require memorization like other events, he said.

John-Dylan competed in the All-Star Specially Challenged Martial Arts Championship in Houston in 2011 and has competed in multiple tournaments that aren't aimed at special-needs competitors.

He began taekwondo after kindergarten on his physical therapist's recommendation.

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"It's gotten harder for him to do as time goes on, but the people at taekwondo have been really helpful at having him modify it," mom Jamie Cully said.

Taekwondo strengthens John-Dylan physically, Cully said, but it also promotes self-esteem and positivity.

"(It's) focusing on what he can do and trying to do things even if they seem impossible," she said. "A kid who never learned to walk is going to earn his black belt."

Lindsey Anderson can be reached at 575-541-5462. Follow her on Twitter @l_m_anderson.